David Howe back on board as coach

DAVID HOWE is joining the Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions in a coaching role.

Former Scorpions’ captain Howe, aged 34, rode for the club for seven seasons from 2009 to 2015, before a troublesome shoulder injury caused him to hang up his riding boots last July.

Howe has been in attendance for the last two home meetings at the Eddie Wright Raceway, and has already been assisting in the pits.

Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “I’m delighted to have David back on board at Scunthorpe Speedway.

“He’s going to be our coach, and help our riders with gating, as well as passing on any other tips that he may have. One of David’s specialities was to be able to make fast starts, while he has a wealth of experience built at both domestic and international level.

“He was already helping out Josh Bailey the other day for the home match against Peterborough. Josh flew out of the gate in his final ride, and that was down to David’s influence.

“David will be working with Josh and others, as he wants this club to succeed.”

David Howe said: “The other evening I found myself getting involved again, when I started speaking to Josh Bailey.

“The difference between losing and winning is so small in speedway. I realised the other night that maybe I can add that 1% to help a rider win a race. If Josh hadn’t hit that puddle in Heat 12 he would have ended up with a paid win, because we managed to get him out of the start.

“I guess I’m going to be there primarily for the likes of Josh Bailey and Zdenek Holub, although the whole team can come and speak to me, if they wish.

“I fully admit that I don’t think I was that good a captain when I was riding, because I was so wrapped up in my own meeting. That’s the problem when you’re riding. I’m now in a situation where I can sit back and see what’s going on.

“I’ve got commitments with my truck driving job, but the plan is I’ll be down the pits for home meetings at Scunthorpe whenever possible.

“I’m only going to be on the end of a phone call, if any of the riders want to speak to me. I sometimes used to phone up Sean Wilson for a second opinion, because I could get in a muddle with my machinery – at times, it’s difficult to see the wood from the trees. Much of the time I was asking him to confirm something that, with hindsight, was obvious, but it did help just having someone to talk to.

“It took me a while to get over my retirement from speedway, but I’m now keen to become involved again.

“I still consider Scunthorpe as my club, and I want to see them winning. If my input can make that small difference which means a rider is winning races rather than losing them, then that’s great.”

* HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions travel to Somerset in Premier League action on Friday evening. Zdenek Holub is still missing through a shoulder injury, so Scorpions will again use rider replacement in his absence.